Hannah Ritchie takes a shot at the question: do our individual actions make a difference? In this election season, it is all about individual action, and how we vote.
Great post Lloyd. The only thing I would add is that the only thing better than voting is running. It's unfortunately a thankless and fraught process for people who give a damn - but we desperately need more candidates who do.
Being a politician is not a thankless process, it's one of the most lucrative gigs out there. Between speaking gigs, access to insider trading, backroom greased palms, and much more, virtually every politician leaves office multiple times more wealthy than when they took office.
For most of my life, politicians have been the target and the butt of the joke and then we complain about the lack of quality candidates for public office.
I've been a political blogger for almost two decades. While I have met more than a few honest politicians from BOTH sides of the aisle, there's a real reason why they, if in office long enough, become those "butts of the joke". Reason? Because they become too full of themselves and start to enrich themselves instead of what they were sent to office in the first place. They become too enamored of themselves after attaining the Powers they can't understand how to wield and start acting like everyone should be kissing their rings.
There are very good reasons why to mock them as much as possible and it isn't just because their political stances and beliefs run counter to mine or yours - it becomes a moral problem.
I don’t think systemic v individual is a dichotomy. We are all part of the system so we are all obligated to change it, and we should be focusing on how to make the biggest impact. Right now, yes, the American election is big… but politics are a system… so political change is systemic change caused by individuals. We can do it! Carry on and vote y’all.
Given the current political operatives, likely participation in politics by more adults would be desired and useful. The current landscape encourages polarizing, 'toddler' behaviour and demonizing individuals with a distinct lack of reasoned policy. I'm a fan of Citizen Assemblies, also moderated by an adult. Both the extreme 'left' & 'right' headspace are guilty of creating a fracases to gain attention. 'Toddler' behaviour diminishes democracy in my observations. Can we encourage and create a more adult, civil community with the fortitude to become candidates??
They say politics is downstream from culture. When we have a culture where the large majority understand the issues and ethics and the change of behaviors needed, then we'll get leaders that reflect that. We're slowly working this out.
Very relevant post. The question is, how to engage those who don't think their vote matters, especially, how to break through the lassitude of younger citizens. I don't believe it's because they don't care, the ones I know all care - I think it's just all too overwhelming for them to seriously contemplate with everything else that's going on. They've lost trust and faith in "leaders"which, given the mess we're in, is hardly surprising.
We have the time, have seen what happens when we don't pay attention, and have the motivation to go screw up politicians' worst laid plans because it amuses us to watch them squirm when we bring Big Flashlights into their Dark Corners. It's actually rather fun to do and like pushing on a tightrope walker with a couple of fingers, it doesn't take all that much to throw them off kilter as they are SO used to getting their own way. They have no coping skills to manage those of us willing to watch them flail around.
But I didn't start getting into politics until my career was pretty settled and my kids were adults - younger folks DO have so much going on with family and career. I don't think it is so much "overwhelming" (they aren't stupid) but BANDWIDTH and setting priorities.
Yes, holding Government accountable SHOULD be a priority but it has grown so much and invasive that it can be hard to figure out what to do next if you aren't used to political machinations. And here in the US, there are 4 levels of govt (town/city, county, State, Federal), there is a lot to have to monitor.
And yes, there's a reason to have lost trust - political leaders and institutions, the media, et al. It's almost to the point where used car salesmen are becoming the new paragons of virtue.
Not just politicians (who are as trustworthy as are lawyers) but also the media, science, medicine, and most everything else previous generations were taught could be trusted carte blanche.
When corruption goes unpunished, it becomes something tacitly approved of. We know how to solve this, but it's highly doubtful "the people" will be willing to accept those terms.
At least I'm of an age to know what it used to be like; I pity the younger people who haven't a clue what any of this means.
VERY cool! Nice to see that you've reversed your earlier positions and have proclaimed yourself to now be a political blogger.
So, your first job: how are you going to rectify, from a political standpoint, the utter stupidity of Extreme Rebellion, Oil In The Ground, and all the rest of the enviro-nutters that have gone after airports, planes, priceless paintings - and made lives a living hell by blocking traffic all over and all the time? As I have asked multiple times before, what is now your [political] marketing going to be that will assure people that their lifestyles will be better, more convenient, and less stressful without giving up anything they have now, to vote your way?
Those insects and the WEF saying "You'll own nothing AND be happy" is a bit of a speedbump, isn't it?
Welcome to my world - and you thought talking tech building specs and emissions was hard...
...oh, I owe you a donation - will do so later this week.
First off, everyone who has the legal right to vote SHOULD be voting; it's your civic duty, regardless of who wins or loses. Secondly, is it not an admission of defeat that change *at the individual level* and corporate commitments to reducing emissions together have failed to move the needle on lowering our emissions? The only alternative then is, unsurprisingly, voting for people who will fundamentally change our lives at the societal level—up to and including all those things that have been talked about ad nauseum in the past:
• "You'll own nothing and be happy"
• The push for dietary alternative foodstuffs, including "fake meat", normalizing the consumption of bugs, and synthesized lab-grown "meat"
• Banning gas stoves, gas water heaters, gas/oil boilers, etc.
• Banning the sale of ICE vehicles
... and more. The reality is, corporations play the consumer for the suckers they are. If they think that pushing the net zero agenda will earn them loyalty by their customers, they'll do it. It's not altruistic, it's just business. I liken their green initiatives to creative accounting measures—Lloyd's satirical post about 4th level carbon emissions speaks volumes about just how ridiculous the corporate accounting policies truly are, largely based on them buying offsets. (I recall the Catholic Church sold indulgences in the early 16th century to atone for one's sins as well—and were equally successful at saving the lives of the people being preached to.)
The point is, a government that controls all aspects of life—for whatever reason, regardless of how noble a goal it may be—is, without a doubt, tyrannical and intrusive. It is the very antithesis of freedom, and it will be fought to the bitter end by people who value freedom above life. It's interesting to note that as time goes on and the climate "crisis" grows increasingly closer to those magic cut-off dates of catastrophic collapse, the louder the cries of voluntarily handing over freedom to the elite so they may govern us because we're too stupid on our own to make decisions that suit OUR needs and priorities ON OUR OWN.
In other words, every day the battle cry between freedom and tyranny grows louder. At some point, the silent majority will be pushed too far, and do to the American globalist hypocrites what the Founding Fathers did to King George V. And I welcome that day so that sanity can be finally restored.
"If they think that pushing the net zero agenda will earn them loyalty by their customers, they'll do it."
Or other assorted nostrums. Right now, thanks to Robby Starbucks spotlighting , we are seeing one large corporation after another ditch the DEI craze: Harley-Davidson, Ford, John Deere and the latest one being Toyota. Why? Because their customers TOLD them. The Left has successfully done such consumer boycotts for decades; the RIght has just learned how its done and is now employing the same tactics.
Frankly, I just want my vendors to just Do. Their. Jobs. and supply goods and services at great value price points - I don't need their politics one way or the other.
I would posit this: "Anything goes when you can justify your doing so is to save the planet."
I'm really glad Lloyd was able to go to his conference. I would love to see NZ and AU but it's about the free cash flow for me more so than the carbon cost—but I wish he would just acknowledge that it was something he wanted to do, the conference organizers wanted to do, and not have him stress out about how many hamburgers he has to forego to make up for attending.
"...how many hamburgers he has to forego to make up for attending."
Heh! "Everything in moderation, including moderation". Very few can pull off the latest version of being an "poverty" monk (with poverty defined by the religion and era) all the time. Sometimes, the soul needs to have a good time.
Great post Lloyd. The only thing I would add is that the only thing better than voting is running. It's unfortunately a thankless and fraught process for people who give a damn - but we desperately need more candidates who do.
Being a politician is not a thankless process, it's one of the most lucrative gigs out there. Between speaking gigs, access to insider trading, backroom greased palms, and much more, virtually every politician leaves office multiple times more wealthy than when they took office.
For most of my life, politicians have been the target and the butt of the joke and then we complain about the lack of quality candidates for public office.
I've been a political blogger for almost two decades. While I have met more than a few honest politicians from BOTH sides of the aisle, there's a real reason why they, if in office long enough, become those "butts of the joke". Reason? Because they become too full of themselves and start to enrich themselves instead of what they were sent to office in the first place. They become too enamored of themselves after attaining the Powers they can't understand how to wield and start acting like everyone should be kissing their rings.
There are very good reasons why to mock them as much as possible and it isn't just because their political stances and beliefs run counter to mine or yours - it becomes a moral problem.
I don’t think systemic v individual is a dichotomy. We are all part of the system so we are all obligated to change it, and we should be focusing on how to make the biggest impact. Right now, yes, the American election is big… but politics are a system… so political change is systemic change caused by individuals. We can do it! Carry on and vote y’all.
Given the current political operatives, likely participation in politics by more adults would be desired and useful. The current landscape encourages polarizing, 'toddler' behaviour and demonizing individuals with a distinct lack of reasoned policy. I'm a fan of Citizen Assemblies, also moderated by an adult. Both the extreme 'left' & 'right' headspace are guilty of creating a fracases to gain attention. 'Toddler' behaviour diminishes democracy in my observations. Can we encourage and create a more adult, civil community with the fortitude to become candidates??
They say politics is downstream from culture. When we have a culture where the large majority understand the issues and ethics and the change of behaviors needed, then we'll get leaders that reflect that. We're slowly working this out.
Very relevant post. The question is, how to engage those who don't think their vote matters, especially, how to break through the lassitude of younger citizens. I don't believe it's because they don't care, the ones I know all care - I think it's just all too overwhelming for them to seriously contemplate with everything else that's going on. They've lost trust and faith in "leaders"which, given the mess we're in, is hardly surprising.
Elders vote and vote almost religiously. Why?
We have the time, have seen what happens when we don't pay attention, and have the motivation to go screw up politicians' worst laid plans because it amuses us to watch them squirm when we bring Big Flashlights into their Dark Corners. It's actually rather fun to do and like pushing on a tightrope walker with a couple of fingers, it doesn't take all that much to throw them off kilter as they are SO used to getting their own way. They have no coping skills to manage those of us willing to watch them flail around.
But I didn't start getting into politics until my career was pretty settled and my kids were adults - younger folks DO have so much going on with family and career. I don't think it is so much "overwhelming" (they aren't stupid) but BANDWIDTH and setting priorities.
Yes, holding Government accountable SHOULD be a priority but it has grown so much and invasive that it can be hard to figure out what to do next if you aren't used to political machinations. And here in the US, there are 4 levels of govt (town/city, county, State, Federal), there is a lot to have to monitor.
And yes, there's a reason to have lost trust - political leaders and institutions, the media, et al. It's almost to the point where used car salesmen are becoming the new paragons of virtue.
Not just politicians (who are as trustworthy as are lawyers) but also the media, science, medicine, and most everything else previous generations were taught could be trusted carte blanche.
When corruption goes unpunished, it becomes something tacitly approved of. We know how to solve this, but it's highly doubtful "the people" will be willing to accept those terms.
At least I'm of an age to know what it used to be like; I pity the younger people who haven't a clue what any of this means.
Great post, thanks for summarizing in simple terms.
"what matters now is <b>political</b>change."
VERY cool! Nice to see that you've reversed your earlier positions and have proclaimed yourself to now be a political blogger.
So, your first job: how are you going to rectify, from a political standpoint, the utter stupidity of Extreme Rebellion, Oil In The Ground, and all the rest of the enviro-nutters that have gone after airports, planes, priceless paintings - and made lives a living hell by blocking traffic all over and all the time? As I have asked multiple times before, what is now your [political] marketing going to be that will assure people that their lifestyles will be better, more convenient, and less stressful without giving up anything they have now, to vote your way?
Those insects and the WEF saying "You'll own nothing AND be happy" is a bit of a speedbump, isn't it?
Welcome to my world - and you thought talking tech building specs and emissions was hard...
...oh, I owe you a donation - will do so later this week.
>>"what matters now is POLITICAL change."
First off, everyone who has the legal right to vote SHOULD be voting; it's your civic duty, regardless of who wins or loses. Secondly, is it not an admission of defeat that change *at the individual level* and corporate commitments to reducing emissions together have failed to move the needle on lowering our emissions? The only alternative then is, unsurprisingly, voting for people who will fundamentally change our lives at the societal level—up to and including all those things that have been talked about ad nauseum in the past:
• "You'll own nothing and be happy"
• The push for dietary alternative foodstuffs, including "fake meat", normalizing the consumption of bugs, and synthesized lab-grown "meat"
• Banning gas stoves, gas water heaters, gas/oil boilers, etc.
• Banning the sale of ICE vehicles
... and more. The reality is, corporations play the consumer for the suckers they are. If they think that pushing the net zero agenda will earn them loyalty by their customers, they'll do it. It's not altruistic, it's just business. I liken their green initiatives to creative accounting measures—Lloyd's satirical post about 4th level carbon emissions speaks volumes about just how ridiculous the corporate accounting policies truly are, largely based on them buying offsets. (I recall the Catholic Church sold indulgences in the early 16th century to atone for one's sins as well—and were equally successful at saving the lives of the people being preached to.)
The point is, a government that controls all aspects of life—for whatever reason, regardless of how noble a goal it may be—is, without a doubt, tyrannical and intrusive. It is the very antithesis of freedom, and it will be fought to the bitter end by people who value freedom above life. It's interesting to note that as time goes on and the climate "crisis" grows increasingly closer to those magic cut-off dates of catastrophic collapse, the louder the cries of voluntarily handing over freedom to the elite so they may govern us because we're too stupid on our own to make decisions that suit OUR needs and priorities ON OUR OWN.
In other words, every day the battle cry between freedom and tyranny grows louder. At some point, the silent majority will be pushed too far, and do to the American globalist hypocrites what the Founding Fathers did to King George V. And I welcome that day so that sanity can be finally restored.
"If they think that pushing the net zero agenda will earn them loyalty by their customers, they'll do it."
Or other assorted nostrums. Right now, thanks to Robby Starbucks spotlighting , we are seeing one large corporation after another ditch the DEI craze: Harley-Davidson, Ford, John Deere and the latest one being Toyota. Why? Because their customers TOLD them. The Left has successfully done such consumer boycotts for decades; the RIght has just learned how its done and is now employing the same tactics.
Frankly, I just want my vendors to just Do. Their. Jobs. and supply goods and services at great value price points - I don't need their politics one way or the other.
🤡
So you think we have a free choice?
“Anything goes when you are not responsible and it is all somebody else's fault.”
Ah yes, the Victimization of Western Society. Glad to see you have recognized it.
I would posit this: "Anything goes when you can justify your doing so is to save the planet."
I'm really glad Lloyd was able to go to his conference. I would love to see NZ and AU but it's about the free cash flow for me more so than the carbon cost—but I wish he would just acknowledge that it was something he wanted to do, the conference organizers wanted to do, and not have him stress out about how many hamburgers he has to forego to make up for attending.
"...how many hamburgers he has to forego to make up for attending."
Heh! "Everything in moderation, including moderation". Very few can pull off the latest version of being an "poverty" monk (with poverty defined by the religion and era) all the time. Sometimes, the soul needs to have a good time.